Sheikh Abdul Rahman al-Sudais can normally be seen leading prayers at the Grand Mosque in Mecca, but this week he's been charming the crowds of Banbury, Blackburn and Birmingham, where he attended a conference organised by the Ahlul Hadeeth Society called Unity of God: A Message Of Peace And Security. This evening, he will speak at the East London Mosque.

Rewind some years and he was describing Jews as "monkeys and pigs and worshippers of false gods", Christians as "cross-worshippers" and Hindus as "idol worshippers". His views were highlighted in a BBC Panorama programme on the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB). Following the broadcast, the MCB sent letters of complaint to the corporation about the accuracy and editing of the show, queries that were dealt with at length by Panorama editor Mike Robinson.

Between the earlier media reports and the programme featuring the sheikh's comments, al-Sudais led a sermon at the East London Mosque that was attended by the Racial Equality Minister Fiona McTaggart; the Chief Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks sent a message of support. One would have thought that these two figures given their respective roles, would have been aware of who the sheikh was and what his opinions were.

Peter Tatchell has asked why the Home Secretary is allowing al-Sudais into Britain. "Is it because of the close business links between the British and Saudi establishments? Al-Sudais was appointed imam of the Grand Mosque by the royal leaders of the pro-western Saudi dictatorship. His continuing tenure as chief imam is a damning indictment of the Saudi regime's toleration of antisemitism," he writes. As the imam of Mecca's Grand Mosque, al-Sudais is revered by many Muslims for his learning and his pivotal role in the life of Islam's holiest city. Politically, however, he packs less of a punch than the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia.

The sheikh has never publicly apologised for, denied attribution of or renounced the views exposed in the Panorama programme, yet over the years he has acquired the mantle of peacemaker and interfaith leader. A little clarification from him and his supporters would go a long way. He has been banned from entering Canada and attempts have been made to restrict his movements in the US. So why no uproar in the UK? It is either that people have forgotten what he has said or that they are willing to overlook it and concentrate on his more palatable condemnations of suicide bombings and extremism. Whatever the reason, his feting by Muslims and non-Muslims alike is no cause for celebration, just confusion.

• This article was amended on 6 August 2009. The original article wrongly said that Jonathan Sacks attended the al-Sudais sermon at the East London Mosque. This has been corrected.

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